Reincarnation in Your Religion

What world faiths have to say about whether you'll make a comeback.

In a nutshell: The LDS Church teaches that there is only one physical death for any one person. Within a lifetime, each person experiences spiritual "births," but these "do not in any way constitute any type of reincarnation," according to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. After death, existence in a spirit world precedes the resurrection. Eventually those who lived the gospel of Jesus will have a glorified celestial body.

In a nutshell: Eastern Orthodoxy teaches that "The moral progress of the soul, either for better or for worse, ends at the very moment of the separation of the body and soul; at that very moment the definite destiny of the soul in the everlasting life is decided. ...There is ...no reincarnation" (read citation).

Hinduism

In a nutshell: The concept of reincarnation is thought to have originated within Hinduism, the world's oldest major religion. Hindus believe they will experience multiple rebirths based on their actions in this and previous lives. This doctrine of cause and effect over many lives is called karma.

In detail: The remarkable story of Shanti Devi, a four-year-old girl whose distinct past life memories were researched by several investigators, illustrates what Hindus believe about reincarnation.

In a nutshell: Because Judaism is primarily focused on life here and now, it puts less emphasis on afterlife teachings. Some Jewish mystical traditions accept the concept of gilgul, an ongoing cycle in which the soul is reborn. However, most mainstream Jews reject the concept of reincarnation.